Bridge for violins



1 Nov. 26, 1929. G. T. SCHRDER BRIDE FOR VIOLINS Filed March 19, 1928 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 PATENT OFFICE BRIE FOR VIOLINS Application fi1ed Mareh 19, 1928. Seral No. 262,882.

The invention reiates to bridges for musical instruments of the viol family, and the object of the inventionis t simpiify and iniprove sueh devices, joartienlariy in respect to fitting the foot to the table et the instrument. As iswell known, the tables or bellies of violins vary Widely in cnrvatnre or arching from the bouts or sides to the erest ot' the table, the Stradivarius violin, for instance, being of relatively fiat orn1, rvhile those of Steiner are decidedly arched, With varions intern1ediate degrees of arching by difi'erent makers depending upon the theory or caprice of the 1naker. t is ireqnently necessary or desirable to change or replace the bridge of vioiins and the like, because et breakage or for various other reasons, and as bridges are supplied to the trade in standard sizes and shapes of eet, it is always necessary to tit the bridge to the particular instrun ont for which it is intended. This process of correctly fit ting the bridge and particularly the foot is a very difiicult one and in fact is practically impossible exeept to the expert repairer or vioiin 1naker. This diticulty causes serions inconvei1ienoe and annoyance to the player Wh0 finds it necessary for immediate replacement et a brid e. To avoid the diiiicuity reierred t0, applicant a"ter mach .i i] and experiment, bas discovered a simple,

tr'or lit pensive and highly eficient means a bridge by prov1dzng art1culatec :tect that the same are sel-adjnstable to t1e varie-us contours of the violin tables.

The following specification together vvith the drawings set forth one embodiment et tire invention, it being nnderstood the invention is not limited to the precise structural details but that modifications may be made within the scope of the elaims. In said draxvinga Fig. 1 is a perspective vievv or a portion o:t a violin with the improved bridge apphed Fig. 2 is an elevation of the improved brid e showing its application to the top et a violin; Fig. 3 is a ragmentary view of the bridge with the improved foot shovvn partly 1n sec; tion; Fig. 4: is a section on the line 01 Fin. 8; Fig. 5 is an end v1eW o: tne bridge with the iniproved foot.

In the several figures, 1 designates the body of the bridge and 2 the articulated feet. The feet 2 comprise slightly arched soles 3 and biurcated extensions 4. The body of the bridge at either side where the usual eet are provided is adapted to fit snugly vvithin the bifurcated extensions and the parts are secured by rivets 5 passing through the bifurcations and the body of the bridge. ny suitable rivets may be used, but applicant bas found it expedient to apply rivets headed at one end and secure the other end by an ap plied head 01" any suitable form, the purpose being to avoid tamping and provide a durable connection of the parts. It is noted that the bifureated extensions et 01" the feet entend well above the pivotal point, thus providing a substantial bearing surface against the bod of the bridge on both sides. 1t is manifest that this feature materially strengthcns the construction and avoids the splitting of the bridge, especially at the pivotal points, under normal tension et the strings in a di rection longitndinally of the instrument.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the bottom of the body portion of the bridge, where the usual feet are located, is provided with a rounded extension 6 and the foot is provided at the base of the bifurcations with a fiat portion 7, the parts being so constructed that the curvcd portion 6 contacts with the fiat portion 7 when the foot is oscillated.

Various 1naterials may be used for the :teet, but such material preerably should be of stronger and tougher character than that of the body of the bridge Which is usually oi maplewood. It has been found that ebony or ther hard woods Will sntfice for the eet but extensive experiments have demonstrated that 1netal is more efficient for strength and dnrability and for tonal effect. Aluminum, copper and other metals have been tried but applicant has discovered that brass produces the best tonal results although he is unable to explain the acoustical principles underlying the discovery. Possibly the sa1ne principles apply as in the adaptability of brass 1"or bells and carillons.

It is obvions that applicants improvement be applied to bridges when manufactured, 01' may be applied to bridges of the les common form now on the market by removing the present feet and forming the parts as above described.

I claim:

1. A bridge for viols provided with an adjustable foot, said foot having opposed spaced extensions with fiat inner surfaces adapted to engage opposite sides of the bridge, and a pivot pin connecting said extensions to the bridge.

2. A bridge for viols comprising a body portion provided with a curved projection at its bottom edge and an adjustable foot having a seat for said curved projection and provided with opposed spaced extensions with fiat inner surfaces adapted to engage opposite sides of the bridge, and a pivot pin connecting said extensions to the bridge.

3. A foot for viol bridges comprising a base portion and opposed spaced extensions thereon having fiat inner surfaces adapted to engage opposite sides of the bridge, and means for pivoting said extensions to the bridge.

4. A metal foot for viol bridges comprising a base portion and opposed spaced extensions thereon having fiat inner surfaces adapted to engage opposite sides of the bridge, and means for pivoting said extensions to the bridge.

GEORGE T. SCHRODER. 

